The ride so far has been so incredible that we decided to start a newsletter to keep our members and supporters informed. In the three months since I became Executive Director, we have already started to make a difference. We met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus in September, organized a historic openly gay contingent in the Million Man March in October, and hosted successful events in Detroit and Houston in November.
We are on our way to building a stronger organization that will
Welcome aboard!
Keith Boykin
E. Lynn Harris to Release New Book at Dallas Conference
Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris will give the first major reading from his new book, And This Too Shall Pass, at the National Black Lesbian and Gay Conference February 15-19, 1996 in Dallas, Texas.
The reading is one of several exciting events scheduled to take place at the Forum's 9th Annual Conference. Also at the conference, Drs. Sylvia Rhue and Dee Mosbacher will screen the new film, "All God's Children," a documentary response to the radical right's homophobic efforts to exploit black churches. Other invited guests include Harvard Professor Cornel West, National AIDS Policy Coordinator Patsy Fleming, and U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson from Dallas.
Each year, the conference brings together more than 1,000 delegates from across the country in the nation's largest gathering of African American lesbians and gays to address enlightening topics that affect the community. This year's conference theme "Black, Lesbians and Gays: Continuing the Struggle" celebrates the lives, legacies and ongoing work of African American, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities across our nation.
Previous conference speakers have included the Rev. Jesse Jackson, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, Angela Davis, bell hooks, Bishop Carl Bean, Essence Magazine Executive Editor Linda Villarosa, Cambridge Mayor Ken Reeves, Dr. Majorie Hill, and writer/activists Audre Lorde, Essex Hemphill and Barbara Smith. Previous conference entertainers have included Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Whoopi Goldberg, Peabo Bryson, and Me'shell NdegeOcello.
Conference topics include: men's and womyn's issues, personal development, grassroots activism, HIV /AIDS, spirituality in the gay and lesbian community, young adult issues, leadership and public policy. Highlights of the conference include the Annual Awards Banquet and the AIDS Memorial Service.
This year's conference will be held at the Harvey Hotel Brookhollow, 7050 N. Stemmons; Dallas, Texas 75247. Reservations may be made by contacting the hotel at (214) 630- 8500.
The modern city of Dallas is fast becoming a new political center for the black gay and lesbian community in Texas. Offering numerous recreational activities, attractions, social venues and seasonably mild temperatures, Dallas is certain to host an enjoyable and productive conference. Send in your registration today to the Forum Office at 1219 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90019. For more information on the conference and other Forum programs, please call (213) 964-7820, or send a fax to (213) 964-7830.
Black Gays and Lesbians Revel in the Spirit of the Million Man March
For hundreds of black gay men and lesbians, October 16, 1995 was no ordinary day, for on that day they joined more than a million black men from across the nation in the "Million Man March." Marching proudly in an historic openly gay contingent, they chanted, "We're black! We're Gay! We Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way!" and earned the respect and recognition of thousands who saw them.
The group of 200 gay men and some lesbians gathered early in the morning at Mt. Vernon Place in Washington, and were led in prayer by the Rev. Rainey Cheeks. Noted civil rights activist, author and law professor Derrick Bell addressed the gay contingent, as did the Honorable Ken Reeves, the openly gay mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Despite a controversial climate leading up to the Million Man March and a flurry of homophobic remarks by some March organizers, black gays and lesbians instead encountered encouraging supporters and peaceful crowds along the march route. "The lesson in this experience is that when we have the courage to come out and be open about who we are, the black community not only accepts us, they respect us more," remarked Forum Executive Director Keith Boykin.
The openly gay contingent in the March marked the culmination of a weekend-long series of events planned and sponsored by the Forum, including two pre-march social functions, an educational conference, a Sunday spiritual service, a press conference at the National Press Club, and a reception for HIV-positive men hosted by "Us Helping Us."
Although the march organizers did not heed the calls from black gay and lesbian activists to include an openly gay man or a person living with AIDS to speak at the march, gay and lesbian march participants found some comfort in the fact that they were well received by the rank-and-file marchers.
The Rev. Cheeks said, "You cannot issue a call to the black community without including black gays and lesbians because we are in every part of the African American community. We always have been, are right now, and always will be an integral part of the fabric of our larger community of black sisters and brothers."
Forum Meets with Congressional Black Caucus
Members of the Forum met with leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on September 21 and 22 during two intensive days of volunteer lobbying in the offices of the Caucus members. Every member of the CBC received a visit by the Forum during the two-day period. Some visits were to make new acquaintances and others were to shore up old relationships between the Forum and black members of Congress.
Following a lobby training and strategy session each morning, Forum volunteers headed out to the halls of Congress to discuss issues including continued support of the Ryan White Care Act, maintaining funding priorities for Medicaid, and the need to protect affirmative action.
Forum representatives also attended "braintrusts" and workshops as part of the CBC's Annual Legislative Weekend in Washington.
The Forum hosted several receptions in Washington that weekend, including a dazzling affair at the Grand Hyatt Hotel to honor select CBC members for their support. Rep. Edolphus Towns from Brooklyn and Rep. Maxine Waters from Los Angeles received awards from the Forum for their support of the black lesbian and gay community.
| Annual Conference | |
| February 15-19, 1996 | Dallas, TX |
| Harvey Hotel (Brook Hollow) | |
| Phill Wilson 40th Birthday Tribute Fundraiser | |
| Monday, April 22, 1996 | Los Angeles, CA |
| East Coast Fundraiser | |
| June 1996 | New York, NY |
| Co-chaired by E. Lynn Harris and Linda Villarosa | |
| Black Family Reunion Events Nationwide | |
| Spring/Summer 1996 | |
| NAACP Convention Reception | |
| July 6-11, 1996 | Charlotte, NC |
| SCLC Convention Reception | |
| August 1996 | Detroit, MI |
| Democratic National Convention Reception | |
| August 26-29, 1996 | Chicago, IL |
| United Center | |
| CBC Annual Legislative Weekend Reception | |
| September 1996 | Washington, DC |
The AIDS Prevention Team (APT) was founded in 1991 in response to the growing rate of HIV transmission in African American gay and bisexual males. Through education, awareness and outreach efforts, APT is spreading the word on how to prevent HIV transmission and how infected persons may live longer and healthier lives.
We currently offer a wide range of services: treatment advocacy, one-on-one mental health counseling, HIV support groups, peer-to-peer counseling, safer sex workshops, and most recently acupuncture and massage therapy.
As our organization is expanding, we have not forgotten our sisters, as African American women comprise 54 percent of reported AIDS cases among adult women in the U.S. We are proud to present "Women Love 2," our new women's program headed by Lenore Rivers.
Lenore, an African American lesbian, recently joined APT from the Alcoholism Center for Women here in Los Angeles. Lenore is a prevention specialist in substance abuse and is proudly celebrating her sixth year of sobriety. "Women Love 2" will include a series of safer sex parties and social gatherings for African American lesbians. Although it will be social in nature, Lenore plans to incorporate discussions on substance abuse and HIV issues that women of color face. "Many women in the community expressed a belief that lesbians, or women in general, are not at risk," says Rivers. She plans to raise their consciousness in these areas.
In addition to her work with "Women Love 2," Lenore will be giving AIDS Awareness workshops and treatment updates in African American churches in South Central Los Angeles and Pasadena.
Become A Member of NBGLLF
Yes! Count me in. I want to support the battle against, racism, sexism, and homophobia. Your membership includes a free subcription to the BLACK FORUM and reduced rates at various Forum events. Just mail the following information along with your tax-deductible donation to:
| Name: | _____________________________ | $35 - Member | |
| Address: | _____________________________ | $50 - Supporter | |
| City: | _____________________________ | $100 - Donor | |
| State: | _____________________________ | $250 - Friend | |
| Zip: | _____________________________ | $500 - Patron | |
| Phone: | _____________________________ | $1,000 - Corporate | |
| Fax: | _____________________________ | ||
| E-Mail: | _____________________________ |
__ National Black Lesbian and Gay Conference
__ AIDS Prevention Team
__ Other Forum Activities
__ Event Planning
Visa and Master card accepted also! Please supply your VISA/Mastercard Number and expiration date along with your signature.
The Forum's WWW Debut
The Forum has developed this site to keep the black gay and lesbian community informed of Forum programs and activities, national current events, and other news and information of interest to our community.
Forum members who are willing to serve on the electronic communications committee to help with the development and administration of the site should contact the forum office: voice 213/964-7820, FAX 213/964-7830, e-mail: NBGLLF@aol.com.
There are many ways to stay informed on issues and events in the black gay and lesbian community via the Internet. The Forum suggests visiting these addresses:
Visit the Forum's web site often as we continue to develop new and improved content.WORLD-WIDE-WEB:
The Blacklist
Media Report
As a result of our busy public policy activity, the media attention generated in the past few months has been extraordinary. During this time, the following news organizations have all prepared stories dealing with the Forum: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New York Post, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Defender, The San Francisco Chronicle, CNN, BET's Our Voices,In the Life television program, National Public Radio, Monitor Radio, Pacifica Radio, Emerge magazine, Out magazine, The Advocate magazine, Genre magazine, Frontiers magazine, The Washington Blade, The Washington Afro-American, The Baltimore Gay Paper, Fox Television, and the ABC, CBS and NBC network affiliates in Washington, D.C.
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual People of Color Mailing List
GLBPOC is a general discussion list designed to facilitate online discussion among gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people of color and their allies, as well as about issues of interest to g/l/b/t people of color.
The idea behind the mailing list is to create a space where issues of race and sexual orientation can be discussed in a supportive and non-threatening manner. People of color is a broadly defined term and GLBPOC is not designed to be an exclusive list.
To join the GLBPOC mailing list, send the one line message: subscribe glbpoc. To leave the list, send the one line message: unsubscribe glbpoc.
There is also a DIGEST version of the list available. To subscribe to it, send the one line message: subscribe glbpoc-digest. To unsubscribe, send the one line message: unsubscribe glbpoc-digest
All messages should be sent to: Majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu
Commands included in "Subject:" headers are ignored. Do not send subscribe/unsubscribe messages to the full mailing list. They are also ignored.
MajorDomo is a computer program. You must send messages directly to the program to get on or off the list. For more info on commands that MajorDomo will honor, send the message 'help' to: Majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu. Sending the command 'info glbpoc' should also get you a copy of this file.
To post to the GLBPOC mailing list, send email to: GLBPOC@abacus.oxy.edu
The administrative address for any other questions about getting on/off the list or anything else for GLBPOC is: GLBPOC-owner@abacus.oxy.edu
Letter from the Co-Chairs
We hope you've enjoyed this new newsletter. We want to keep you informed of all the exciting changes going on with the Forum, and this newsletter provides a vehicle for us to do that.
In the next 12 months, you will be seeing some major growth and development of the Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum as we become a truly national organization.
We'll be concentrating on getting our house in order to make the Forum a stronger, more efficient, more capable voice for our communities. We will, of course, experience some growing pains, but the end result will make us all proud. Most importantly, we need your support to make the Forum work.
Please take a moment to consider how you can help us continue the struggle against racism, sexism, and homophobia. You can make a tax-deductible contribution, volunteer your time, attend the annual conference in February, become a dues-paying member, or sign up for a monthly payment plan to fulfill your pledge to the Forum.
Yours in the struggle,
Vallerie Wagner
Gregory May
the BLACK FORUM is published by the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum. Established in 1988, the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum exists to combat homophobia, racism and sexism and to address the leadership and skill development needs of the black gays and lesbians relative to social, legal, economic, and health issues.
 |
 |
| Back to the NBGLLF home page | Back to the QRD home page |
[Search the QRD]